Utility Bills May Decrease

MIAMI — Electric bills for Florida Power & Light Co.`s residential customers will be $2.46 lower beginning in October iif the state approves the utility`s fuel adjustment request.

The state Public Service Commission is scheduled to rule on the request Aug. 31.

FPL said an average 1,000 kilowatt-hour monthly bill would drop from $85.29 to $82.83 for the period from October 1985 to March 1986, when the fuel costs will be reviewed again. Fuel costs are passed directly to customers and are reviewed every six months.

The fuel portion of the bill would actually decrease $2.96, but a 50-cent increase in another portion of the bill makes the net decrease $2.46.

FPL spokesman Carl Pounds said fuel costs have decreased during the last three adjustments, but other portions of the bill have fluctuated.

The company said it would rely more on nuclear power and power bought from other utilities, rather than oil, to meet greater energy needs.

FPL last asked for a general rate increase in January, when the cost of a 1,000-kwh bill increased $2.37.